Portland RSL Memorial Bowling Club News Report Friday 26th February 2021
Portland RSL Memorial Bowling Club News Report Friday 26th February
What a week it has been at the RSL Memorial Bowling Club with all three Divisions claiming wins at their respective semi-finals in what can only be described as tough, never say die matches. All wins were fought for fiercely. Then to top it off Kim Overall produced her best, competing for the region title of Regional Champion of Champions in Camperdown on Sunday, coming away a winner defeating Sue Kerr of Colac 25 to 15. This is the first time Kim has achieved this outstanding personal goal of West Coast Region Champion of Champions and we pass on our congratulations on such an achievement. Kim is now down to the last 16 in the state to compete for the ultimate title in Bendigo on a date in May yet to be determined. We wish Kim all the very best in pursuing this title at the elite state level.
Memorial RSL also had a triples team representing the Far Western Bowls Division compete at Camperdown on the Sunday in the quest for the West Coast Bowls Division regional title. This team comprising of Graeme Solly, Tom Englezos and Chris Fleming. On the last end Memorial were 15 all with the opposition from the Western District Bowls Division consisting of Les Johnson (Koroit), Mark Bowls (Warrnambool) and Wayne Cooper (Koroit). It took two dead ends (in each case Memorial had been holding the winning shot), and ultimately the kitty being picked up by the opposition’s skip Johnson, and rolled into the ditch to give the opposing team the winning shot of the match. Well done guys a tough match with play of a high calibre.
A synopsis of pennant semi-finals has been provided through talking to different sources.
Division 1 were involved in a mighty battle for the win on the day. Bowls delivered by both teams struggled with the wind gusts particularly when heading to the end leading away from town. Despite this, there were some great bowls delivered by both teams that kept spectators enthralled. Results were Memorial 64 to Hamilton 59. At the break two of the rinks led by Des Pitts and Ken Evans were level, whilst Graeme Solly and his team had a good lead. Solly and his team kept their heads down and continued to work hard at maintaining a significant break in the scores, knowing this was vital to the end result on the day. They were able to produce a winning rink score of 29 to 16. Pitts and team continued to battle away in a strong contest of wills, however a multiple by the opposition at a significant point in the game made it difficult to close the gap. The final scores were 19 to 26. Evans and team, who were 9 all at the break continued to toil away in an extremely close tussle, knowing they had to maintain close contact with their opponents and in the end went down by a mere one shot, the final score card reading 16 to 17. Congratulations to the Division 1 team in making their way into the grand-final which is to be held on Saturday March 13th, following the long weekend. We wish them all the best in their preparation for the Holy Grail day.
Division 2 faced tricky conditions on the green at Hamilton. An erratic wind made it difficult to deliver two bowls the same, however at the end of the day Memorial came away winners with 63 shots to Macarthur’s 45. At break time Memorial were two rinks down and one square on the score card with a total of six to gain on resumption. Sometimes a break in play can lead to a drop or gain in momentum and for RSL it was certainly on the plus side. A critical point in the match, was when 11 shots were gained over three rinks by RSL putting them in front for the first time for the day. This provided the momentum for the win. Individual rink results had Gerry Watt and his team win the last eleven ends to win 24 to 13. John Buchanan’s rink was strongly led with a consistent lead in Simon Hein over the day winning in a close 17 to 15 shots. Meanwhile John Wallis led his team from a deficit of six, to win 22 to 17 with Terry Barclay holding consistency throughout the whole day of play. Well done to Division 2 we wish you all the best for this week’s preliminary final against Hamilton which will be held at Penshurst Bowling Club.
In the division 3 match up, Memorial defeated Portland 55 to 53. In a game of see-sawing fortunes Memorial finally got the job done in the shadows of the post. The rink skipped by Bert Roos held sway all day but had their sizeable lead whittled down to less than a handful by the games end. Final scores on the rink were Memorial 19 to Portland 16. Peter Fasoli’s team had a nip and tuck affair all day and the game suitably finished in a dead heat, 16 all. Fasoli and crew won the last end by two shots to bring about the resultant draw on their rink, and in turn these were the winning shots that gave the two shot overall win by Memorial over Portland. In contrast, Ian Benbow and company were up against an opposition skipper who continually disturbed the head. Eventually the crafty tactics of Benbow in lengthening the ends to counteract this strategy, managed to bear fruit in the end. Although Memorial went down on this rink by a solitary shot 20 to 21, the final overall shot margin went in Memorial’s favour to record the momentous win, credit going to Peter Fasoli and Peter Pevitt on drawing these vital shots on the last and final end being bowled on the day. Congratulations on the win division three and we wish you all the best in your preliminary final match against Coleraine to be held at Hamilton
The teams for the preliminary finals to be held tomorrow Saturday 27th February are named as follows:
Division 2 are playing Hamilton at Penshurst Bowling Club: John Wallis (skip), Don McGowan, Terry Barclay & Rod Beauglehole; John Buchanan (skip), Leonie Buchanan, Dean Beckman & Simon Hein; Gerry Watt (s), Ron Robertson, Jim Bryden & John Linley
Division 3 are playing Coleraine at Hamilton Bowling Club: Ian Benbow (s), Uppie Angelino, Terry Stanley & Tink Imbi; Bert Roos (skip) , Meredith Fredericks, Ian Merrett & Martin McKeever; Peter Fasoli, Lockie Aitchison, Peter Pevitt & Ernie Arnold.
We wish John Wallis all the best in the 60+ Singles in his quest for the West Coast Region title, to be played at Port Fairy on Sunday.
Corporate Cup resumed this week after being interrupted with the Covid 19 circuit breaker. It was great to have the teams back on the green for the third round. The conditions were cool but this didn’t interrupt the enthusiasm of teams and play. The last round of the competition will be held next week, where the winners of the Day’s Electrical Corporate Cup and recipients of the Owen Williams Memorial Trophy will be determined. Presentations will follow the completion of the round, and a light spread of sandwiches and hot snacks will be provided free of charge to all participants. The top 10 spots on the ladder currently are held by the following: Renegades 83, KPESC 75, The Refs 73, Crackajack QUBE 72, Coodabeen Legends 71, Woolley Jumpers 64, Cliff Hangers 60, Champagne One 58, Brophy 55, Odd bowls 55
Resumption of Social Bowls on Wednesday saw a good crowd turn up for a roll on a pleasant day. Winners on the day were Tink Imbi, Dot Angelino and Ian Merrett.
Up and coming events
Social bowls are on every Saturday and Wednesday with a 1pm start.
Mixed Invitation Fours 10th March
Men’s Minor Club Championship 14th March
Ladies 21 Up 16th March
Ladies Drawn Triples 23rd March